Monogramming machine



Jan. 6, 1953 s. H. MEISTER MONOGRAMMING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 10, 1949 INVENTOR. 514M 6! fva/snse Arra/P/ws 7s S. H. MEISTER MONOGRAMMING MACHINE Jan. 6, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 10, 1949 INVENTOR. 54M 1% ME/sra? Arramvcys Jan. 6, 1953 s. H. MEISTER 2,624,302

MONOGRAMMING MACHINE Filed Sept. 10, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. 524M ME/srER Patented Jan. 6, 1953 UNITED STATS OFFICE MONOGRAMMING MACHINE Application September 10, 1949, Serial No. 114,971

Claims. (Cl. 112102) "This invention relates to a monogramming or embroidering machine, and particularly to a machine for applying monograms, such as initials, or emblems or other designs, to shirts, pajamas, nightgowns, underclothing, handkerchiefs, towels, sheets, table cloths, napkins and variou other articles or clothing, household linens and other articles.

Heretofore, monogramming or embroidering machines "have been used commercially for the purposes above stated but such previous machines have necessitated the direct stencilling of the monogram, emblem or design outlines on the articles and the operators of the prior machines have had to manipulate the articles themselves in the machines to cause the machine needles to follow .the outlines and reproduce the desired monograms, emblems or designs.

The previous commercial machines have necessitated the use of skilled operators, the obtainance of which has required extensive training or instructional courses. Also the previous machines have been slow and ineflicient, have resulted in faulty monograms, emblems or designs with a consequent wastage of articles, and have required in conjunction with their use a large number of different stencils or patterns including stencils or patterns for various sizes of the same monogram, emblem or design.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a monogramming or embroidering machine which is eificient, accurate and speedy in operation, requires a. minimum amount of training and skill on the part of the operator, a relatively small. supply of stencilled patterns or type blocks for producing a wide variety of different monograms, emblems or designs and a number of different sizes of the same monogram, emblem ordesignandenables the production of perfectly produced monograrns, emblems or designs, thus avoiding wastage of the articles.

Another object is to provide a monogramming or embroidering machine wherein the monogram, emblem or design outline doesnot first have to be stencilled on the article and the operator does not need to manipulate the article beneath the needle of the machine, since a stencilledzpattern or type block containing the desired monogram, emblem or design can be positioned on a table or board remotefrom the needle of the machine anda tracing device moved by theoperator over the outline of the monogram, emblem or design on the stencilled pattern or type block automatically effects a corresponding movement of the article beneath the needle 0f the machine.

A further object is to provide a monogramming or embroidering machine-as referred to in the last named object and wherein the operator can reproduce on the articles various sized emblems, designs or monograms from the same or different-stencilled patterns or type blocks.

Another object of the invention is to provide a monogramming or embroidering machine wherein there is a tracing device that theoperator can easily, efficiently and accurately move over the outline of the emblem, design or monogram on the stencilled patternor type block to reproduce the same on the article, thus eliminating error and waste or spoiling of the article, enabling an unskilled operator toproduceperfect monograms, emblems or designs without' strain or effort since it is unnecessary to watch the article and the needle of the machine as the "article moves relatively to the needle.

A further object of the invention is "to provide a monogramming or embroidering machine wherein there is -a tracer device movable by the operator and remote from the machine needle and the work piece but operatively connected to the latter to transmit corresponding movements thereto from the tracing device, with the opera- .tive connections between the work piece and the tracing device including a novel mechanism guaranteeing smoothnessof movement of the tracing device by the operator and enabling the article to bemoved relative to the needle at a uniform pace, thus keeping the flow of thread even and preventing the piling up ofstitches at one location and an inadequate number of stitches at another location.

Another object is to provide a novel mechanism, as referred to in the last named object, and which prevents movement of the tracer device when the needle is making a stitching stroke in the article, thus avoiding bending or breakage of the needles.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a monogramming or embroidering machine of the type referred to a novel arrangement for easily and quickly adjustin the operative connection between the tracing device and the article mounted in the work holder of the machine so that various sized monograms, emblems or designs can be reproduced from a single sized stencilled pattern or type block mounted on the pattern table beneath the tracing device and including one to one reproductions.

A further object incident to the adjustment feature referred to in the last named object is to provide for the reproduction on the article of emblems, designs or m-onograms smaller in size than the emblem, design or monogram of the stencilled pattern or type block, thus minimizing errors or flaws in the reproductions.

Further and additional objects and advantages not hereinbefore specified will become apparent hereinafter during the detailed description of an embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a monogramrnmg or embroidering machine embodying the inventive concept.

Fig. 2 is a plan view similar to Fig. 1, but with the top table of the machine omitted and indicated by dot and dash lines to show in plan the operative connections between the tracing device and the work holder.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but on a substantially larger scale.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on line 44 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

'Fig. 5 is a fragmentary partial sectional and partial elevational view illustrating the electromagnetic device that controls the smoothness of the operators motions in moving the tracing device over the stencilled pattern or type block on the stencil table. 7

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substant ally on line 6-6 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows, and

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional View showing the switches which control the adiustment indicating lights of the machine and the switch actuating rod that is 7 connected to the adjustable stencil table.

The monogramming or embroidering machine embodying my inventive features may, of course, have various external appearances and may possess suitableornamental features. However, at the present time the preferred external appearance and ornamentation of the machine is such as is shown in my application Serial No. D-4510, filed August 15, 1949 for Design Letters Patent now Design Patent 158,780, issued May 30, 1950.

It will be understood without illustrating the same herein that the monogramming or embroiderin machine includes a sui able cabinet housing the operative parts of the machine and on which a suitable sewing machine head is mounted and also that it may contain a cabinet section provided with supply drawers while the various control knobs and indicating lights will be suitably positioned on the cabinet.

Referring to Fig. 1, I5 indicates the table top of that part of the cabinet which mounts the sewing machine head and contains the operative parts, while the control switches and knobs for the electric circuits and the sewing machine motor are indicated generally at I 5a. The table top l5 has mounted thereon a suitable sewing machine head l6 which may be any well known type of the usual domestic or industrial sewing machine having a movable needle bar adapted for vibrating zigzag or straight needle stitching as is well understood in the art.

The table top I5 is provided adjacent to the sewing machine head with an opening I1 and through which opening extends an arm l8, later to be referred to, and having its outer end adjustably connected to a second arm [9 by means of a slot and wing nut connection. The second arm l9 at its end adjacent to the sewing machine head has removably connected to it a fitting 20 which carries a hoop or frame 2| in which the article to be monogrammed or embroidered can be clamped in a manner well known in connection with embroidery hoops. It will be understood that the hoop or frame 2! with the article clamped therein is located beneath the needle of the sewing machine head and will have movements imparted thereto such that the monogram, emblem or design will be reproduced on the article from a suitable stencilled pattern or type block.

A stencilled pattern or type block board or table 22 is slidably mounted in the cabinet to extend outwardly of the front of the cabinet and to move beneath the table top l5 of the cabinet. The board 22 is mounted for easy and accurate strai ht line sliding movement inwardly and outwardly of the cabinet by means of suitable tracks, rods or guides well understood in the art and illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 diagrammatically by dash lines at 23.

The front or outer edge of the board or table 22 is recessed as indicated at 24 to'accommodate the body of the operator. The table or board 22 centrally of its recessed front edge is illustrated as provided in its upper surface with a rectangular depression that is'covered by a transparent sheet 25 secured to the table or board in any suitable manner permitting its removal for cleaning purposes and providing with the depression an envelope into which the stencilled patterns 26 can be inserted, with the monograms, emblems or designs on the patterns visible through the sheet 25. This arrangement is a sim le'and effective one for readily inserting and withdrawing the patterns and for holding the same properly in position during the reproducing operation. 'Although stencilled patterns have been referred to and illustrated herein it will be understood that other forms of patterns or type blocks might be employed in lieu thereof and suitable means provided if necessary for holding such pattern or type blocks in position on the table or board 22.

The table or board 22 just inwardly of the inner edge of the sheet or plate 25 is provided with a vertical recess in which may be mounted abushing 21 (see Fig. 6) for a purpose later to be explained. The table 22 inwardly of the bushing has secured to its underside a cross bar 28, see Figs. 2, 3 and 6, and said cross bar has fixedly secured to it a rigid strap or arm 29 projecting beyond the inner edge of the table and intermediate the cabinet table top I5 and an interior supporting shelf 39 located in'the cabinet beneath the top l5. The strap 29 is provided in its upper side with a longitudinally extending cam adjusting groove 3! having two angularly disposed portions, the purpose of said strap and said cam groove later becoming apparent.

The inner edge of the table 22 has fixedly secured to it a switch actuating rod 32 later to be referred to in detail. The table 22 may be clamped or locked in any adjusted inward or outward position with respect to the cabinet by means of suitable clamping or locking devices as. for instance, the bracket 33b carried by a fixed part of the cabinet and mounting a clamping or looking screw 34 which engages the table 22, see Fig. 2.

As already stated, a tracing device is provided for tracing the outline of the monogram, emblem or design on the stencilled pattern or type block, together with mechanism operatively interconnecting the tracer device with the article or work holder 2|. so that the movements of the tracer deviceawill; be; imparted: to the aarticlezon work holderz.

vdesiredto lee-reproduced in a one-.to-one v ratio on thearticle but canhoused-also for repro ducing on the article monogramsemblems or designs of lesser size, thusreducing the; number of stencilled patterns or type blocks which must be-kept in stock and also avoiding the necessity of interchanging the stencilledpatterns or type blocksv when it is desiredto reproduce the same monogram, emblem or designon different articles but varying in size. It will be appreciated that the reproduction of smaller sized emblems, monograms or designs on the article minimizes errors or flaws in thereproductions.

Thepantographmechanism referred to includes a first pantograph comprising a. master arm33extending between the table top l5 of the cabinet and the intermediate shelf 3!! thereof and having an upwardly offset portion 33a overlying the table or board 22 and the stencilled pattern or. type block mounted on said table or board; with the said offset portion 33 mounting the tracer device later to, be referred to.

The master arm 33 inwardly ofthe offset portion 3311 but. still where it overlies the table or board 22 is pivotally connected at 34'to one end of a link 35'. The inner end of the master arm 33 is pivotaly connected at 36 to one end of a link 31 canal in length to the link 35. The opposite ends of the links 35 and 31 are pivotally connected, respectively, at 38 and 39 to the opposite ends of an arm 49. The distance between the pivotalpoints 34 and 35 equals that between the pivotal points 38 and 39 so that the arms33 and 4!] and the links 35 and 3.! constitute a parallelogram.

The'link 35' is slid'ably supported in a swivelling cradle 41 that projects downwardly through an opening 42 formed in the pattern, table. or boardZQ ad acent' the rear end of the latter The swivell'ed cradle 41 on its underside is provided with a roller 4,3; see Fig. '6, that 'rotatably interfits the cam adjustment groove 3| in the strap 29. The arm Ml slidably interfits and mounts an adjustment block 44 wh ch carries a ball spring point 45 en ageable in predeterminedlv spaced recesses 46 formed on the upper side-of the arm 45 to hold the block 44 in different ad usted positions longitudinallv of the arm 40, se'eFigs. 3 and 4. The adiustable block 44 on its upper side is provided with a boss 4'! (see Fig. 4) that 'supports an ou wardly extending pivot pin 48 having an extended upper end.

The pivot pin 48 has pivotally mounted thereon one end of a. link 49 andabove said link one end of an arm 550i" aseoond pantograph. The opposite end of the link 49 is pivotallv connected at 5i-to one end of an arm 52 while the end of the arm s previously referred toes-connected to the article or work holder 20 throu h the bar I9 is pivot-ally connected to the link 49 and arm 52 ;above :the latter at the pivot point L I -he 50 and; the. arm 52 attheir other ends are ivotally con c ed, r s eci v a at ,3 n 54v to a link 55. The arms 50; and 52 of; the second pantograph between the pivot points 48 and 53 and. 5! andv 54 are equal in length to the arms 33 and 40 of the first-pantograph between the pivot points 35 and 36 and 38 and 39. Also the links 49, and 55 of the second p-antograph between the pivot points 48 and 5| andv 53; and 54 are equal in length to the links 35 and 31; of the first pantograph between the pivot points 34 and 33 and 36 and 39 so that the mechanism includes two parallelograms constituting the first and second pantographs.

The arm 53 and the link 55 of the second pan; tograph also are pivotally connected at 53 to the free end of a stabilizing b-ar56 that has its other end pivotally connected at 51 to an anchoring bracket 58 fixedly secured to the intermediate shelf 30 of the cabinet. The link 55 is provided with a portion 550 extended beyond the pivot point 53 and this extended portion adjacent. its free end is pivotally connected at 59 to the free end of a stabilizing bar 65, the opposite end of which is pivotally connected at 6! to an anchoring bracket 62 fixedlyrmounted on the intermediate shelf 3.5 of the cabinet.

It will be seen that movements imparted to the master arm 33 of the first pantograph and applied at the offset portion 33a thereof will be correspondingly imparted to the arm l8 and work or article holder- 20 without invertion through the double pantograph arrangement just described.

It will also be understood by this time that the amplitude of the movements thus imparted to the article or Work holder 20 will equal or be less than the amplitude of the movements imparted to the master arm 33, depending upon the adjusted position of the block 44 on the arm 40 and the location of the cradle 4| longitudinally of the cam adjusting groove 3| in the strap 29. The manner in which the positions of the cradle M and block 44 may be adjusted will now be described.

The offset portion 33a of the master arm 33 slidably mounts a vertical locking pin 63 provided at its upper end with actuating handles 54 and having its lower end when the locking pin is in its lowermost position engaged in the bushing 2'! in the table or board 22, at which time the master arm 33 and said table or board 22 are interlocked for movement together as the table or board. is moved inwardly or outwardly with respect to the cabinet.

The pin 53 may be raised by its actuating handles 65 to an inactive position and retained in such position by a spring point 65 carried by the portion 33a of the master arm 33 and engaging in a recess 56 formed in the pin 53, see Fig. 6, and at such time the master arm 33 can move relative to the table or board 22.

The table top l5 of the cabinet slidably mounts a vertical locking plunger 61 provided on its upper end with an operating knob 58 and at its lower end with a recess 69 engageable with the upper end of the pivot pin 48 carried by the block 44. It will be seen that when the locking plunger 61 is engaged with the pivot pin 48 the block it is locked to the table top I5 of the cabinet'so that movement of the arm 40 will overcome the action of the spring point 45 and causethe block- 44 to move relative to the arm 40 to change its adjusted position thereon.

The mechanism and th adjustable portions there f; in this instan a o d si ed with respect to each other and correlated to the inward or outward adjustments of the table or board 22 that said mechanism can be set to procure a one-to-one movement of the article or work holder relative to the movement of the master arm 33 or movements thereof equal to one-third, one-half or one-fourth of the amplitude of the master arm movement as desired to effect one-to-one reproductions on the work of the monogram, design or emblem on the stencilled pattern or type block or reproductions equal to one-third, one-half or one-fourth the size thereof. 7

In procuring the adjustment of the pantograph mechanism, as just referred to, the table or top 22 is unclamped by loosening the wing clamping nut 34 and the operator simplymoves the table 22 inwardly or outwardly of the cabinet.

The locking pin 63 is lowered to have its end engage in the bushing 21 to interconnect the master arm 83 and the table or top 22 for simultaneous movement. Also the locking plunger, 61 is lowered or positioned inwardly toengage the pivot pin 48 and lock the block 44 to the table top 15 of the cabinet.

It will be seen that under such circumstances mere inward or outward movement of the table or board 22 relative to the cabinet will act to locate the cradle 4| with respect to different longitudinal portions of the cam groove 3|, thus imparting turning movement to the cradle with a resultant movement of the arm 40 relative to the block 44 and thereby changing the ratio of the movements imparted to the article or work holder by the movements of the master arm 33.

The recesses 4% provided in the upper side of the arm 40 are spaced in this instance in correlation to adjustments providing for the oneto-one reproduction of monograms, emblems or designs on the article equal in size to the pattern or reproductions thereon of one-third, one-half or one-fourth its size.

When the table or board has been moved inwardly or outwardly to obtain the desired adjustment for the size monogram, emblem or design that is to be reproduced from the pattern then the table is locked by the lock means 34 in adjusted position, the lock bolt 63 and the lock plunger 61 are released and the pantograph mechanism is set for the desired operation.

In order to indicate to the operator quickly and visually when the table or board 22 and the pantograph mechanism have been moved to obtain the desired adjustment, the front of the cabinet may be provided with signal lights indicated at M in Fig. 1. In this instance there are four such signal lights corresponding, respectively, to the four difierent adjustments whereby V monograms, designs or emblems may be reproduced equalling in size the monogram on the stencilled pattern or type block of one-third, onehalf or one-fourth the size thereof.

The signal lights 19 are individually controlled, respectively, by switches H, 72, 13 and 14 mounted on a suitable switch supporting plate 75 carried by the intermediate shelf 38 of the cabinet. The switches H, 12, 13 and 14 may be any desired form of switch for controlling the 'ghting of the Signal lights, but preferably are micro switches of well known form.

Various means may be provided for actuating the switches in correlation to the inward or outward adjustment of the table or board 22. A preferred way of actuating the switches is by means of the switch actuating rod 32, previously referred to, and fixedly connected to the inner edge of the table or board 22. The rod 32 pro"- jects through an insulating sleeve 16 carried by the switch plate 15 and said rod is provided with an annular groove 11 adapted to register with the spring pressed actuating pins of the switches, depending upon the adjusted position of the table or board 22.

As shown in Fig. '7 the actuating pin of the switch 12 is engaged in the groove 11 of the rod. d Sa d switch is closed and the circuit to its related signal light 10 is completed, the rod 32 forming part of said circuit. The switch 12 controls the signal light that indicates reproductions of one-third the size of the pattern, while the switches H, 13 and [4 control the signal lights indicating, respectively, reproductions of oneto-one (actual size) or of one-half or one-fourth the size of the pattern.

It will be noted that when the table or board 22 is adjusted outwardly to the position for obtaining reproductions of one-to-one (actual size) with respect to the pattern then the actuating plunger of the switch H will engage in the groove 11, at which time the plungers of the switches 12, 13 and 14 will be extended but not in contact with the rod 32 and hence the closing of the switches I2, 13 and 14 will be merely an idle closing thereof since the circuits to the signal lights controlled thereby will not then be completed. The inner end of the rod 32 is beveled so that inward movement of the rod will depress such switch actuating plungers as may be extended but not in contact with the rod. I

As previously stated, the master arm 33 mounts on the offset portion 33a thereof a tracer device which the operator can move over the outline of the monogram, emblem or design on the stencilled pattern or type block to produce through the pantograph mechanism corresponding movements of the work holder and thus reproduce the monogram, emblem or design on the article The tracer device may take various forms, but preferably it will be so constructed as to provide for a pin point light beam that will impinge on the outline of the monogram, emblem or design of the pattern, wherefore the operator by moving the master arm 33 can cause the pin point of light to follow the outline.

The free end of the offset portion 33a. is shown as provided on its underside with a boss 18 registering with an opening through the arm. In this opening there is mounted a light tube I9 closed at its upper end by a removable cap (which may carry a colored glass window) and mounting internally a light support 8| in which can be mounted a small electric light bulb 82 connected by wire leads 83 to a suitable source of electrical current such as the usual commercial current.

The lower end of the tube 19 is convergently tapered and mounts a lens 84 of suchcharacter that the rays from the light bulb -82 will project downwardly upon the plate 25 and the stencilled pattern and form the desired pin point of light which can be moved by the operator over the outline of the monogram, emblem or design by movement of the arm 33;

In order'to facilitate the movement of the arm 33 by the operator a double handle 85, preferably provided at its opposite ends with knob portions, is swiveled on the boss 18 beneath the arm portion 33a and is held in position by a retaining nut 86 screwed onto the exterior threads of the boss.

Infsome instances it may be desirable to employ in place of a stencilled pattern a type block i'nwhich the design, emblem or'monogram outlineis formed by means of grooves. In such in stance it might be more desirable toempl'oy on the tube 19 a'feeler or pointeror stylus that could travel-in the grooves of the type block; and it will be'notedthat the-lower endof the tube i9 is formed to permit the lens to be removed-{and a-feeler or-pointer or stylusto be screwed thereon at which tim'e, o-fcourse, the light would not be used.

In order that the movements' imparted to the masterarm 33 by the operator will be smooth, regular and in accordance with the stitching movements of the needle of thesewingma'chine head to prevent movement of the master arm when the needle is stitching and thusikeep the flow of thread even and'preventthe piling up of stitches at some 'loc'ationsand an "inadequate number of --stitches at other locations on the article the following mechanism; is employed.

Referring toFigs. 2, 3 and*5 it will'b'eseenthat the master arm 33 adjacent to thepoi-nttt of its pivotal connection with the link 97 has secured on its upper side ala-terally -projecting bracket plate 8?. The bracketplate a'i'mounts onits-underside adjacent its free end the housing'ta of an electromagnet, it being understoodthat the coils or windings of said magnet are contained in the housing. The electromagnet is provided with a core 89 extending therethrough' and having its upper end containedin-a bushing 99011 top of the bracket 81. The lower end of the core 89 cooperates with an armature which isa metal plate 91 secured to the upper side of the intermediateshelf of the cabinet. It will be seen that when theelectromagnet is energized thecore 89-will engage with magnetic attraction the plate 9 I with the result that a stabilizing dragor braking action is imparted fat-such time to the movements of the master arm -33 of the pantograph' mechanism. I a I The coils of the electromagnet are connected by wires 92 and 93 to a'suitable source of electrical energy, said wires being secur'ed to a plug 94 that can be inserted into an electrical outlet contained within the cabinet. The wire 92 is interrupted and is connected to the contacts 'ofja switch =95 shown as secured to the underside of the sewing machinehead It although'said switch could be located in some other position on or in the sewing machine head. This switch 95 1s illustrated as being of the normally op'en type and is provided with an actuating plunger 96 which when moved inwardly closes the switch and completes the circuit to the 'electrom'agne't.

In order for the electromagnet to exert its drag or braking action on the movements of the master arm 33 when the needle of the sewing machine actually stitching to thus prevent the movement of the master arm during -stit'ching movement of the needle and the piling up or stitches in one location and the skimping of stitches in another locationon the article, to eliminate bending or breakage of the needle and to stabilize and make uniform the movement of the master arm and the 'pantog'raph as well as the movements of the article beneath the needle the following mechanism is employed.

The underside of the casing of the switch 95 mounts a spring arm 91 which when free to flex to its normal position retains the plunger 96 in its inward position with the -s vvit ':l 1 'contacts closed. The outer end of the spring arm 91 is shown as cooperating, in this instance; with a six -sided actuating member 98 rotatable on a 10 shaft 99 supported on the underside ofthe'sewing machine head. The member 98 might be located onsome other part ofthe sewing machine'either on or within the head. When the spring arm 91 isin contact with one of the flat sides of the actuating member 98, as shown in Fig. 5, said'arr'n flexes to its normal position and th'econtacts of the switch are closed andthe'eiectromagnet is energized. However, when the member -98 is rotated so as to bring one of its exteriorcorr'ler edges into contact with the spring arm 91 the latter is flexed out of normal position andfthe switch plunger 96 moves to its normal position and the contacts of the switch 95 are opened and the electromagnet is deenergized. F

A ratchet wheel 19!] is secured to the member 98 and rotates in unisontherewith. The ratchet wheel acccooperates with a pawl JIM which is fixed to theouter end of the arm I02 of adou'bl'e arm lever. The hub of the double arm lev'erifs fixed on a rockable shaft I93 shown in this in stance as mounted in suitable supports bene'a'th the sewing machine head. The other arm I94 of the double arm lever is pivotally connected 'to the free end of a crank arm 1195 which is operatively mounted on a rotatable shaft ['06. The main shaft idta of the sewing machine and which actuates the reciprocating needle bar of the machine as is well understood in the art is schematically illustrated inFig/5. The shaft' IUB may be driven from the main shaft [86a to rotate at twice the speed of the main shaft by any well known driving "connection, as, for instance, by the 1 to 2 gears filth and I980 schematically illustrated in Fig. 5. a

It will be seen that when the sewing machine is operating the shaft it will reciprocate the crank arm is and cause the double arm lever on the shaft N93 to rockably oscillate. The oscillation of the double arm lever on the shaft [93 causes the pawl to engage the teeth of the ratchet 109 and each time that the pawl moves upwardly the ratchet Hi0 and member 98 willhe rotated correspondingly. It will be noted that two upward movements of the pawl Hit are required to rotate the member 98 from a position wherein the spring arm 91 is in contact withonefiat side of the member to a position wherein it is in contact with the adjacent flat side thereof. The parts are 'so related and synchronized with the sewing mechanism that the spring arm 91- is in contact with a flat side of the member 98 when the needle of the sewing machine is ac vtually making a stitching stroke in the work, and

hence the electromagnet 88 is energized in synchronism with the actual stitching movements of the needle.

When the needle has a non-stitching "move ment one of the corner edges of the member 98 will be in engagement with the spring arm '97 and the latter will be flexed out of normal position to cause opening of the switch 95 and deenergization of the electromagnet. Inasmuch as the stitching movements of the needle are approximately one-half of the idle or non-stitching movements thereof the arrangement just described causes the electromagnet to be energized to exert its retarding or braking effect dur-' ing the actual stitching movements and deenergized during the idle movements of the needle. In other words, the period in which thespri'ng arm 97 contacts the flat side of the hex member 98 is one-half that in which the spring arm 91 1s flexed outwardly by a corner edge of the menber 98. It will be noted that in this partic'ul ai" instance the ratchet I contains twice the number-of teeth as there are faces on the member 98, but this ratio may vary under different conditions. Whatever the ratio, it will be such that the magnet is energized and the master arm movement is braked when the needle is in the material of the work, thus preventing movement of the work at such time which might cause uneven stitches or bending or breaking of the needle.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the objects of the invention hereinbefore specified are adequately attained. The monogramming or embroidering machine avoids the necessity of the operator directly moving the work holder and article beneath the needle. This lessens the strain on the operator and also enables accurate reproduction of monograms, emblems or designs by relatively unskilled opera tors since any person of normal intelligence can move the tracing device over the outline of the stencilled pattern or type block to reproduce automatically the corresponding movements of the work holder. Also since the pantograph mechanism is adjustable a single stencilled pattern or type block can reproduce a number of different size monograms, emblems or designs as explained, thus lessening the number of patterns or type blocks which must be kept in stock or drawn or produced. Furthermore, the machine can be operated more efliciently and have a higher rate of production since it is not necessary for the operator to first stencil the outline of the desired design, emblem or monogram directly onto the article.

The adjustments of the pantograph mechanism can be accomplished by the operator quickly and readily without the use of tools and in accordance with the explanation herein given by merely sliding the table or board 22 inwardly or outwardly and because of the signal lights the operator will be visually advised at all times as to what adjustment has been made and the size of the monogram, emblem or design which will be reproduced on the article.

The electromagnet device explained herein assures steady and uniform movement of the master arm by the operator in moving the tracer device over the outline of the monogram, emblem or design on the stencilled pattern or type block andsuch movement will be correlated to the non-stitching movement of the needle. In addition, this movement of the tracer device is facilitated by the provision of the pin point light beam fully described herein.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described herein,,it will be understood that the invention is susceptible of various modifications and adaptations within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A monogramming or embroidering machine of the character described, comprising in combination, a cabinet, a sewing machine head mounted on said cabinet and including an operating shaft and a movable needle bar adapted to be provided with a needle and operatively connected with said shaft; means carried by said cabinet for mounting thereon a monogram, emblem or design stencilled pattern or type block, a

work holder located and movable beneath the needle bar of the sewing machine head, a tracer device overlying said means, a pantograph operative connection between said device and work holder whereby movement of said device in conl2 formity with the monogram, emblem or design outline on the stencilled pattern or type block is transmitted to said work holder and the same reproduced on the work by the needle, and means for exerting resistance to the movements of the pantograph in correlation to the movements of the needle to provide uniform pantograph movements and including electromagnetic means carried by the pantograph, an armature plate carried by the cabinet and cooperating with said electromagnetic means, a switch controll ng the energization and deenergization of said electromagnetic means, and operative connections between said switch and said shaft of the sewing machine head to efiect energization of the electromagnetic means in correlation to the stitching movements of the needle.

2. A monogramming or embroidering machine of the character described comprising a cabmet adapted to mount a sewing machine head; a board slidable inwardly and outwardly of said cabinet and provided with means for mounting thereon a monogram, emblem or design stencilled pattern or type block; a work holder adapted to be located and moved beneath the needle of the sewing machine head, a tracer device overlying said board; operative connections between said device and work holder whereby movement of said device in conformity with the monogram, emblem or design outline on the stencilled pattern or type block is transmitted to said work holder; said operative connections including a first pantograph mechanism, one arm of which mounts said tracer device, a second and similar pantograph mechanism, operative connections between said second mechanism and said work holder, a block on another arm of said first mechanism and slidably adjustable thereon, means operatively interconnecting said block and said second mechanism, an inwardly extending strap provided with a cam groove carried by said board, a cradle swivelly mounted in an opening in said board and provided with a roller engaging in said groove, one of the links of said first mechanism which interconnects the arms thereof being slidably mounted in said cradle, means carried by said cabinet for locking said block against movement with said other arm of said first mechanism, means carried by said one arm of said first mechanism for operatively interconnecting it with said board whereby said pantograph mechanism may be adjusted by inward or outward movement of said board to vary the ratio of movement between said tracer device and said work holder, and means carried by said cabinet for locking said board relative to said cabinet and in its diiierent adjusted positions.

3. A machine as defined in claim 2 and wherein said cabinet is provided with signal lights for indicating the difierent adjusted positions of said board and with switches for controlling said lights, while said board mounts an actuating,

member for actuating said switches selectively in accordance with the adjusted positions of the board.

4. A machine as defined in claim 2 and whereof the character described comprising a cabinet adapted to mount a sewing machine head; a

the stencilled pattern or type block is transmitted- 1 necting the same with said means for adjusting the 'pantograph operative connections whereby inward or outward adjustment of said board effects actuation of said adjusting means.

to said work holder and the same may be reproduced on the work; said board being slidably adjustable inwardly or outwardly relative to said cabinet, and said pantograph operative connec tion including means for adjusting the same to' vary the ratio between the movements of the" tracer device and the reproduced movements ot' the work holder, said cabinet and said board be-.- ing provided with means operatively intercon- SAM H. MEISTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1 813,122 Trautmann Feb. 20, 1906 (1,220,019 Smith et a1 Mar. 20, 1917 1,350,592 Cordvan Aug. 24, 1920 1,383,914 Emmerling July 5, 1921 2,007,819 Tillett July 9, 1935 2,091,727 Bohmann et a1 Aug. 31, 1937 2,207,787 Eberle July 16, 1940 T 2,264,779 Tillett Dec. 2, 1941 

